The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-07-02

""" N"'NNi''iiiS W hccl MY
flour and stores there said Mrs.
Spruce, sourly "But l guess | can
manage. Come, Elsie; I'll show
you where all the things are kept,
and then you can get supper for us.
Helena Elvira isn't very strong, and
am tired"
81 shall be so glad to be of usem
said Mrs. Paul Spruce, wistfully.
While she was taking off her
things in the cell-likc room assigned
to her, Mrs Spruce, senior, came
toptoeing back to where Hubbard
still stood on the grassy green, me-
chanically wiping the perspiration
from his forehead, and staring
around him in a glassy-eyed sort of
way.
Hubbard" :" said she, in IL low
voice.
"Well? retorted the farmer.
"Do you s'pose she knows it?n
"Knows what ?"
"That this farm and the ten thou
sand dollars in money were left to
Paul by his Uncle Wethersbee ?"
"Ol course she don't l' said the
old man, looking around, as if fear
ful lest some one should overhear
the words. "How should she?"
"Are you going to tell her, Hub
bard ?"
He turned short around, with IL
growl like that of an incensed wild
animal.
"What do you take me for?" said
he. "Of course" suddenly altering
his tone into smooth plausibility, 81
have the best interests of Paul's
widow at heart. She shall never
want. But what does woman
know about business ?"
"Of cousew said Mrs. Spruce,
with sigh of reliei-"of courscm
So Paul's widow settled down in
the Spruce household as sort of
patient, much enduring drudge will
ing to do everything, anxious only
to gain kind word or smile.
Miss Helena Elvira treated her in
a cavalier sort of way, as she might
have treated the "hired girl" for
whom her soul had longed.
And grateful little Elsie accepted
it all, thankful for any crumb of oc-
casional kindness flung her, and
training herself not to expect too
much from these undemonstrative
connections
But their paths one day came in
collision.
You going to the singing school
tonight, Elsie !" said Helena Elvira
sharply. "But you can't The
minister is coming here to tea, and
some one must be on hand to wash
the dishes"
"Joab Whitley asked me to 20
with him. said Elsie, with dropping
lashes, 'and | Thought
"Joab Whitley, indeed y angrily
retorted Helena Elvira. I'D like to
know what business widow like
you has to be carecring around the
country with Joab Whitley, or any
other young man ! -
rs it wrong?" breathlessly asked
Elsie. "Oh, Helena Elvira But
Paul has been dead Il year now, and
after all, am only eighteen"
Quite old enough to know bet
ter said Helena Elvim. "I'll 90
with Joab, and explain it all to him.
Its quite impossible for ma to spare
you
But he didn't ask your flashed
out Elsie.
Helena Elyira laughcd-a hard,
cackling laugh.
jealous, ell ?" said she. "But
you may as well spare yourself the
trouble, Elsie. Joab Whitley never
would care for you
In the Spruce household Helena
Elvira's will was law, and Elsie
found herself compelled to submit.
She was washing dishes alone, in
the kitchen, that evening, wonder
ing why she should be placed out
side the pale of ofhuman enjoyments
and affections, when, unexpectedly
enough, the door opened, and in
walked honest Joab himself.
rs it true, Elsie Spruce ?" said he
"Didnt you really want to go tC
singing school with me tonight ?"
"Oh, Joab who told you that 2
exclaimed Elsie, scarcely knowing
whether to laugh or cry.
"Wby, Helena Elvim, of course" "
''lt was not true, Joab y whisper
= ed Elsie.
OF course it wasn't" said he. "
=, might have known it. She is falls,
e treacherous human cat and yol
: Elsic--well, you are the sweetest lit
l lie lnrlinn in all thn mnrld and i